Overview

The Region works to deliver annual budgets that keep taxes low while maintaining Halton’s financial sustainability. This plan will support the successful completion of the current Strategic Action Plan by investing in key services, infrastructure and resident priority areas.

The 2018 budget is based on prudent, forward-looking financial planning principles that preserve Halton’s strong long-term financial position. It maintains service levels for Regional programs while allowing for strategic investments that support a high quality of life for everyone in Halton.

Impact

The 2018 budget includes:

a 1.9 per cent increase in proper taxes for Regional programs and services; and

a 3.8 per cent increase in the water and wastewater rate.

Property taxes

This table reflects the property tax impact of Regional government services per $100,000 of a property's CVA.

Waste Management: $490,000 increase for the inclusion of plastic bags and film in the Blue Box beginning in April 2018.

Road Maintenance Program: $396,000 increase to support road maintenance contracts with the Local Municipalities and address growth in the Regional road network.

Halton Region Community Investment Fund: $350,000 increase to expand the fund’s total annual contribution to $2.4 million to support community initiatives with a focus on health or social services.

Capacity to Prevent and Address Homelessness: $346,000 increase (no net Regional impact) to help prevent homelessness based on provincial funding allocated for 2018.

Emerald Ash Borer (EAB): $121,000 increase in operating contributions to the Tax Stabilization reserve in support of the EAB program implementation by Conservation Halton and Credit Valley Conservation.

Increased funding for Paramedic Service resources for the new East Milton station as part of the Paramedic Services Master Plan implementation;

Funding to implement new governance arrangements with the Oakville Seniors Citizen’s Residence;

Increased funding for non-profit organizations in Halton through the Halton Region Community Investment Fund;

Additional funding for the Waterfront Master Plans implementation;

Increased funding to provide housing subsidies for survivors of domestic violence, help prevent homelessness, and provide more assisted housing stock and rental assistance in Halton Region;

Adjustments to rate revenue and structure to ensure financial sustainability for investments and to promote fairness in revenue collection and water conservation; and

Funding for a Long-term Water Meter Strategy to accelerate water meter replacement to ensure more accurate water bills and to develop a strategy to support radio frequency reading technology in the future.